TYPE: Tandem-seat sportplane kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: Developed from Van's RV-4 by way of Harmon Rocket. First flight (in USA) November 2000 (N121JC). Second flew in Australia, July 2001.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Team Rocket F1: Baseline version. Description applies to this version, unless otherwise indicated.
Team Rocket F1EVO: Tapered-wing version announced as under development in 2003. As F1, except where otherwise indicated.
Team Rocket F2: Planned side-by-side two-seat version, announced at Oshkosh in July 2002 but discontinued; project has been moved to High Performance Aircraft of USA.
CUSTOMERS: Sales totalled 130 by August 2003, of which 20 were flying.
COSTS: Kit, excluding engine, propeller and avionics, US$37,400 (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Intended to combine high performance and low price. Low-wing monoplane with closely cowled engine. Constant-chord wings, tapered tailplane and moderately sweptback fin.
Meets '51 per cent' rule. Quoted build time 2,000 hours (1,200 for fast-build kit).
FLYING CONTROL: Conventional and manual. Flaps. Horn-balanced rudder and elevators.
STRUCTURE: Principally of aluminium, primed with epoxy chromate for corrosion resistance. Titanium mainwheel legs, glass fibre engine cowling and wingtips.
LANDING GEAR: Tailwheel type; fixed. Spring titanium mainwheel legs. Mainwheel 5.00-5. F1EVO will be offered with either tailwheel or nosewheel.
POWER PLANT: One flat-six piston engine rated between 175 and 224 kw (235 and 300 hp), driving a two- or three-blade propeller recommended for both versions; typically prototypes have Textron Lycoming IO-540 and three-blade, constant-speed MTV-9-B-C/C198-52 propeller. Fuel capacity 197 litres (52.0 US gallons; 43.3 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Two persons in tandem, beneath rearwards-sliding canopy. Fixed windscreen.